The Mizo fight: The three simple factors that can decide how the state fares

The state of Mizoram goes to polls today. Over the years, the state has generally witnessed a bipolar battle between the Congress party and the Mizo National Front (MNF).

LIQUOR License
In Christian dominated Mizoram, the Congress government defied the powerful Presbyterian Church and organizations like the Young Mizo Association (YMA) by replacing the Mizoram Liquor Total Prohibition Act (MLTP), 1995. The first wine shop opened in Aizawl on March 16, 2015. This has turned out to be big electoral issue in the state with Mizo National Front (MNF) and BJP’s ally Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) promising to bring total prohibition if voted to power.

Remember, of the 7,70,395 estimated voters in the state, 3,94,897 are women and this will be a key deciding factor to the fate of 209 competing candidates.

POTHOLE to Victory
The bad conditions of roads in the state is a primary electoral issue. In his visit to the state, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh promised there will no potholes in the road within six month of BJP coming to power. The minister jibed on how the difference between a road and pothole cannot be ascertained in the state.

Even the opposition Mizo National Front has made the road condition of Mizoram an election issue.

NLUP Gulp
The ruling Congress claims that the New Land Use Policy’ (NLUP) is aimed at arresting the jhum or shifting cultivation and has brought vast, positive change in the state. BJP and MNF allege that scheme has benefited leaders from the Congress Party only. Prime Narendra Modi, in an election rally raked up the NLUP issue. “Even CAG has pointed the same. To cover up they came up with another scheme New Economic development programme and gave contract to their people. There is no electricity in the villages.”

KEY PLAYERS
Incumbent Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla is contesting from Serchhip where he is pitted against Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma. People’s Represent for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM) president Vanlalruata is also contesting from this seat.

In the run up to the polls R.Lalzirliana, Home minister and number two in the Lal Thanhawla cabinet resigned and joined the MNF. He is contesting from Tawi constituency in Aizawl district and is pitted against BJP state president J.V. Hluna.

Aizawl East- II seat, the owner of Aizawl football club (AFC) Robert Romawia Royteis fighting against the finance minister, Lalsawta. BJP has fielded T. Lalmalsawmi.